Get paid to move

The editor of The Wandered has researched where in the world you can currently get paid to move and shares with you the most interesting programs available in various countries. From cash payments to free land – these programs will help you not only change your place of residence but also get rewarded for it. Here are the details for each and step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

1. Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

• Program: Tulsa Remote
• What's Offered: $10,000 payment for those who are willing to relocate and work remotely from Tulsa. The city also offers a year of free coworking space and access to a community of professionals.
• Where to Apply: Official program website.

What to Do:

1. Register on the program's website.
2. Complete the application form, stating your profession and reasons for wanting to relocate.
3. Once approved, you will receive the necessary paperwork.
4. Upon arrival, you will be provided coworking space and receive the $10,000 payment.

For your initial stay, you can book a hotel or a home on a daily basis through Your Price Booking — an innovative online booking service where hoteliers often offer discounts on available rooms.

2. Vermont, USA

To participate in Vermont's Remote Worker Grant program and receive up to $7,500 to cover your moving expenses and help set up your remote office, follow these detailed steps:

What the program offers:

The Remote Worker Grant is designed to attract remote workers to Vermont by offering financial support for relocation costs and office setup. You'll be reimbursed for qualified expenses after you move and submit the necessary documentation.

How to apply:

1. Visit the official ThinkVermont site: https://thinkvermont.com/ Head over to the ThinkVermont Remote Worker Grant Program page for detailed information and access to the application form.
2. Download the Program Guidelines: Review the full program details by downloading the guidelines here​(ThinkVermont). This document outlines what expenses are covered, eligibility criteria, and the specific requirements.
3. Fill out the application form: Provide your personal information, employment details, and proof of your remote work arrangement. You'll also need to outline your relocation plan and expenses that qualify for reimbursement, such as moving costs and home office equipment.
4. Submit supporting documentation: After completing your move, submit receipts for eligible expenses like moving services, rental costs for the first month, or any office setup costs.
5. Wait for approval: Once your application is approved, you’ll receive reimbursement of up to $7,500 for qualified expenses.

Need a place to stay?

For your initial stay in Vermont, you can book accommodations through Your Price Booking, an innovative service where property owners frequently offer discounts on available rooms. This can help ease your transition during the first few weeks of your relocation.

3. Molise, Italy

The Molise Region in Italy is offering a unique relocation program called the "Reddito di Residenza Attiva", which provides monthly payments of €700 for up to three years (a total of up to €24,000). This incentive is aimed at individuals and families willing to move to underpopulated villages (with fewer than 2,000 residents) and establish or transfer their businesses there. The goal is to bring new life and economic activity to these villages.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be EU citizens or have a residence permit that allows them to stay in Italy for at least five years.
• You need to be between 18 and 40 years old.
• You must agree to move from a location with more than 2,000 residents and relocate to one of Molise's eligible villages.

How to apply:

1. Select a village: Choose from around 100 villages participating in this program, such as Fornelli, Pesche, and Campitello Matese, among others.
2. Prepare your business plan: You are required to start or transfer a business that will benefit the local economy. Any business type is allowed, including tourism, agriculture, or retail.
3. Submit your application: Send your application, along with your business plan, CV, and a copy of your ID, to the Molise regional office. The application must be sent via certified email (PEC) to regionemolise@cert.regione.molise.it.

Official links:

• Official information and forms can be found on the Molise regional website: Molise Region

If you're approved, you will have 90 days to move to Molise and start your new life. For further assistance, you can contact the regional office at +39 0874 4291 or email contactcenter@regione.molise.it.

4. Candela, Apulia, Italy

To apply for the Candela relocation program offering up to €2,000 for young couples and families, follow these steps:

1. Eligibility: You need to relocate to Candela, rent a home, and have a minimum annual income of €7,500.
2. You can contact Candela's city council via their official platform. Unfortunately, links may vary, so it's best to check the official municipal website or reach out directly to local authorities.
3. Contact Information: Candela City Council application​

5. Sambuca, Sicily, Italy

• Program: Purchase homes for €1 with the condition that they are renovated.
• Where to Apply: Sambuca City Administration.

1. Research available properties through the municipality or real estate websites.
2. Apply to purchase through Sambuca's city council.
3. Begin renovations and register as a permanent resident.

6. Serife, Portugal

• Program: Payments of up to €4,800 for families willing to relocate to the Serife region.
• Where to Apply: Local government of Serife.

What to Do:

1. Contact the local authorities for detailed information.
2. Submit the necessary documents for relocation and confirm your plans to work or run a business in the region.
3. Obtain a residence permit and apply for payments.

7. Ponga, Asturias, Spain

• Program: €3,000 payments for young couples who decide to settle in the village of Ponga.
• Where to Apply: Ponga Municipality.

What to Do:

1. Contact the Ponga municipality through their official website or in person.
2. Submit an application explaining your intent to relocate.
3. Receive the payment once approved.

8. Granada, Andalusia, Spain

The Financial Incentives Program for Young Professionals in rural Granada, is part of a broader national effort to combat rural depopulation, known as the "España Vaciada" (Emptied Spain) initiative. The government has allocated significant funding to encourage young professionals and entrepreneurs to move to and work in rural areas, offering financial assistance, grants, and support for business initiatives.

Steps to Apply:

1. Research the Program: Begin by reviewing Spain's rural development policies, including incentives for relocation. You can find more details about government aid and financial programs for businesses and individuals relocating to rural areas in Spain through Invest in Spain.
2. Contact the Local Administration of Granada: For specific details regarding the incentives in the Granada region, reach out to the local administration. The city and provincial governments offer various programs aimed at attracting young professionals, particularly in rural towns.
3. Prepare and Submit Your Application: Once you’ve reviewed the available options and are ready to proceed, prepare your application for the incentive program, highlighting your qualifications, employment plans, or business proposal.
4. Arrange Your Move: After your application is approved, you can finalize your relocation plans and begin working in your chosen rural area.
5. For more detailed guidance, check out the government’s official action plans on rural revitalization and economic growth for depopulated areas

9. Saskatchewan, Canada

To take advantage of the Graduate Retention Program in Saskatchewan, which offers tax credits of up to $20,000 for graduates, follow these detailed steps and use the provided links for official resources.

Program Details:

The Graduate Retention Program (GRP) provides a significant incentive for graduates who have completed an eligible post-secondary program and choose to live and work in Saskatchewan. You can receive up to $20,000 in tax credits, depending on your degree level.

Eligibility:

• Graduates of approved programs from recognized post-secondary institutions in or outside of Saskatchewan.
• You must live in Saskatchewan and file Saskatchewan income taxes to qualify for the tax credits.

Steps to Apply:

1. Register for the program:
2. Upon graduation, you need to register for the Graduate Retention Program through the official Saskatchewan government website. This is done by filing your Saskatchewan income taxes and including the GRP form.

• Link to Program Information: Graduate Retention Program

1. Confirm your residence and employment:
2. Ensure that you are living and working in Saskatchewan, as the program requires that you be a resident. The tax credits will be applied based on your Saskatchewan tax return.
3. Submit your documents:
4. When you file your taxes, include the Graduate Retention Program form (T1029). The tax credits will then be calculated based on your post-secondary program and the corresponding amount you’re eligible for.

• Tax Filing Guide: Saskatchewan Tax Forms and Filing

Additional Information:

You can claim the tax credits over a period of up to 7 years after graduation, depending on your qualification level. The total credit for graduates of bachelor’s degrees, for example, can reach up to $20,000, while diploma and certificate holders can claim smaller amounts.

By following these steps and using the resources provided, you can easily apply for and receive the tax credits offered through Saskatchewan’s Graduate Retention Program.

10. Albinen, Valais, Switzerland

The picturesque village of Albinen in Switzerland is offering financial incentives of up to 25,000 CHF (approximately $25,000) per adult and 10,000 CHF per child for families or individuals willing to relocate and live in the village for at least 10 years. This program is aimed at combating depopulation in the area and revitalizing the local community.

Eligibility requirements:

• Age: Applicants must be under 45 years old.
• Residency: You must commit to living in Albinen for a minimum of 10 years.
• Property investment: You are required to purchase or build a home worth at least 200,000 CHF (~$201,600). The property must serve as your permanent residence, not a holiday home.
• Financial commitment: If you decide to leave the village before the 10-year period ends, you will be required to return the financial aid.

How to Apply:

1. Visit the Municipality website: The official website for Albinen provides more detailed information and the application form. You can visit Albinen's Municipality Website to start the process.
2. Submit Your application: Along with your application, you’ll need to provide proof of your plans for long-term residency, the financing for property acquisition, and any supporting documentation for your relocation plans.
3. Approval and move: Once approved, you can proceed with your move and receive the financial incentive. The funds will be distributed based on the terms agreed upon with the municipality.

Success stories and interest

Albinen has already seen an influx of interest, with many individuals and families from Switzerland and abroad expressing interest. However, the program is currently limited to Swiss citizens or residents with a C residence permit​.

The scheme has brought positive results, with several families already moving in and helping revitalize the village​.

If you're looking for a peaceful life in the Swiss Alps, Albinen offers not only stunning natural beauty but also an opportunity to become part of a small, close-knit community while receiving significant financial support.

11. Santiago, Chile

• Program: Startup Chile — grants of up to $40,000 for startup founders.
• Where to Apply: Official program website.

1. Register your startup on the program’s website.
2. Prepare a business plan and submit it for review.
3. After approval, receive a grant and a 1-year visa to start your business.

12. Antikythera, Greece

Antikythera offers a unique relocation program for families looking to move to the island. As part of the initiative to revitalize the population, families can receive €500 per month for the first three years, alongside free housing. The goal of the program, organized by the Greek Orthodox Church and local authorities, is to attract families, particularly those with children, to bring new life to the island.

Eligibility:

• Priority is given to families with at least three children.
• The program targets those willing to settle permanently and contribute to the local economy by starting businesses such as bakeries, fishing, or farming.

How to Apply:

1. Contact local authorities: For questions about the application process, reach out to the Kythira Tourism Department, which oversees the project in collaboration with Antikythera.

• Contact Information:
• Phone: +30 273 603 3004
• Website: Kythira Tourism Department

1. Submit your application: Once the program opens (some delays have occurred due to housing construction), you'll be required to submit documentation demonstrating your intent to move and start a family-based life on the island. Be sure to inquire with local authorities about the current application timeline.
2. Although the program has not yet officially welcomed new families, you can stay in touch with the local authorities for updates and prepare for when applications open. This initiative aims to rebuild the island’s dwindling population and ensure a sustainable future​

13. Groningen, Netherlands

• Program: Incentives for startups and entrepreneurs.
• Where to Apply: Local administration of Groningen.

1. Prepare a business plan and submit your application to the city administration.
2. Upon approval, receive support to develop your business.

14. Tokushima and Wakayama, Japan

• Program: Payments of up to $8,000 for relocating families.
• Where to Apply: Local administrations of Tokushima and Wakayama.

What to Do:

1. Contact the local government of the prefectures.
2. Submit an application and confirm your intention to settle and work in the region.
3. Receive financial support after approval.

15. Kaimakariki, New Zealand

• Program: Incentives for entrepreneurs.
• Where to Apply: Local administration of Kaimakariki.

1. Submit your business plan to the local administration.
2. Apply for an entrepreneur visa and start your business.

These programs will help you not only change your place of residence but also receive financial support to start a new life or business. Every step is detailed, and you can begin your journey to new opportunities by taking advantage of these unique offers.